Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-29
THE OLD, OLD STORY.
AN ArfEKPT 10 DISPOSE OF A FINE BOY
BABY, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
Brings b Light lis Parents and an Interesting Little
Stry Of Mas Deceit and WOnAn's
Weakness.

Yesterday mornings REGISTER con-
tanned an exclusive account Of the finding
Of = handsome boy baby on the front steps
Of the residence No. 1923 Eoff street,
which is occupied by Mr.. Charlie K1evis
and Mr.. Frank Thomas, and thereby
hangs an interesting tale, the circum-
stances of which were developed By the
publication, although many people were
aware Of the affair. The details of the
story, which are only made public through
the double deception and indiscretiOn Of
the man in the case, are about Us follows:
Miss Zeli award is progressing young
lady, pronounced brunette, and for some
time past had been residing with her sis
ter, Mrs. Bert Hobbs, on South Front
street, Islaad. Just three weeks ago to-
day Miss Ward became the mother of fine
healthy boy baby, and upon being ques-
toned, it is alleged she stated that
her brother-in-law, Bert Hobbs, was the
author of its being. This lamentable state
of things being divulged induced Hobbs to
skip out of the city, and he went to Cleve-
land, while his wife went with friends in
the city, the young mother being left in
the house with no one but nurse to take
care Of her. The woman was faithful,
however, and attended to the husbandless
mother with the greatest care.
Several days passed, and, according to
Miss Wards statement to friend, Mrs.
Hobbs went to the house and told her that
she must leave The poor girl, not know
ing what else 10 do, communicated with q
lady relative who resides in the eastern
part of the city, who kindly told her that
she could come and remain with her until
she had entirely recovered, and as long
thereafter as she desired. She then sent \
carriage over and had the unfortunate
Young woman transferred to her house,
where she has been kindly cared for ever
since
Hobbs returned home, shortly after
ward, and according TO the story as told
reporter by the lady under whose roof Miss
Ward has resided, he called upon the alleged
victim of his deception several times, the
first occasion being the early part OF the
present week. He told the lady that he
had been hunting for Miss Wards resi-
dence for a week, and had Just succeeded
in finding it. He also stated that he had
been to Cleveland and made arrangements
to have the child placed in an Orphans
Home OF some such institution, where it
would be kindly cared for at quite a large
cost TO him. The mother, who had become
naturally very much attached to her child
refused to allow it to be taken away, rs
she thought Hobbs was deceiving her.
However, he called each night since
then, and at last on Wednesday evening
be prevailed upon the mother to let him
take the child away, faithfully and solemn
ly promising her that he would have it
taken to Cleveland by q we'll known col
Ored nurse, whose name he declined to
give. The mother was still doubtful and
wanted him to wait until she had become
we'll enough TO 20 along, 50 that she
could be sure that the infant would be well
cared for. He said the child must go at
once, for she was becoming so much at
taehed to it that she would not want TO
part with it if the separation was delayed,
and at last he succeeded in gaining her
consent upon the assurance that rs soon as
the child had been placed in the institu-
ton it would be taken by q wealthy fam
| ily, by whom it would be adopted. While
her consent was gained her fears were not
| allayed, and she Wept bitterly.
Hobbs then lett the house and shortly
returned with carriage. lie informed
| the inmates that there WAS nurse in the
carriage who would take good care of the
child, and that she would leave with it on
the IL o'clock train for Cleveland He
wanted To take none OF the clothing eX-
cept what the child wore, but the women
| folks had the clothes ali done up IN a
package aud compelled him to take them
along. Between fear for the child's safety
and the hope that it would be better cared
/ for if taken to Cleveland, the mother was
| in an uneasy state OF mind and wept as If
| her heart would break. Hobbs attempted
10 reassure her by the most solemn promises
and handing the child into the carriage
to the inmate, he followed in
after and ordering the driver away he
closed the door. The carriage disappeared,
| leaving the mother in an agony of fear and
doubt while the lady under whose prOtec
ton she was, felt sure that Hobbs did not
intend TO DO what he promised. They then
retired, but not TO sleep.
Yesterday morning after the family had
come down stairs, several neighbOr ladies
dropped in TO see about the little one and
presently lady appeared and asked them
| if the child had been taken away. She
was informed that it had been sent to a
home in Cleveland. ThereupOn she opened
| a REGISTER which she held in her hand
and pointing to the account of the finding
ola waif, said: Read that" The article
WAS read and WAS followed at its cOnclu-
| sion By an excited exclamation:
Good gracious that is our child ~
Then the mother knew that she had
again been deceived. Word WAS immedi-
ately sent to Mrs. KlieyeS, and during the
day she took the little fellow, to whom she
had taken a great liking, hack to its
mothers eager arms. There we will leave
it and 90 back q week OF 80.
Mrs. Louisa Mays is colored woman
and q professional nurse, aud she is the
woman who occupied the carriage and into
whose keeping the child was given Wed
nesday night. According to her story, as
told to Mrs Klieves and Mrs. Thomas, she
WAS approached some time since by
parties interested in dispOsing
Of the child, and questioned rs to whether
she knew of any family who would he
willing to take the child and raise it.
She answered in the affirmative, and men
toned Mrs. Klieves' name. She then
communicated with Hobbs concerning the
matter, and it WAS arranged that the child
would be taken to Mrs. Klieves', which
was done as has been stated.